Over the past several years, there have been repeated calls both in and out of law enforcement for police departments to engage with their communities on matters of policy and practice. But developing healthy community-police engagement is not easy. Many of the communities most affected by policing have been marginalized politically, yet it is essential to find ways to ensure that they have a voice in how they are policed. There also are questions about how to educate and empower communities to give meaningful input on policing policy. And there are few models for what this sort of engagement even should look like. Still, government by the people requires us to try.

Here at the Policing Project, we are working with police officials, community groups, local governments, and experts across the country to develop models and mechanisms for policing agencies to engage with the communities they serve.

Use the links to the left to learn more about our community engagement projects and research.